Created on Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Written by THE BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER STAFF

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol says five people were killed in crashes in Ohio between early Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The patrol is urging drivers to help bring a safe end to the year by wearing a seatbelt and not driving while impaired. Three of the five deaths were attributed to impaired driving. Last year, eight people died in impaired-related crashes between Christmas and New Year's in Ohio.

The patrol said year-to-date data shows that troopers have made an additional 944 more arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence compared to the same time period last year. Preliminary information also indicated that impaired-related fatal crashes were down 18 percent compared to last year.